$2,225
of $10,906 goal

24 years ago, I contracted a disease known as Lupus Erythematosus, at the age of 19.This occured just as I was beginning my studies at the law school of Universidad Santa Maria,a task that I carried out without losing so much as a semester, despite the issues (that were attimes traumatic) that it brought up. I have never surrendered: seizures, intensive therapysessions, long-term hospitalizations, frustrations at work "for dissenting from the government ofmy country, Venezuela" that sometimes inconvenienced me more than my own physicallimitations. All of those strengthened my spirit, and even though at times I was less thanenthusiastic, I never allowed myself to enter a depressive state, maintining a positive outlook.

The first sign of this disease in my body made itself known through renal failuredescribed as Chronic Kidney Disease Stage V secondary to kidney disease lupus (lupusnephritis Class IV, WHO), curable only with a kidney transplant. My blood type is A + ; thesame as that of my mother, who is not in a position to donate a kidney due to severehypertension problems, forcing me to submit to an Automated Peritoneal Dialysis treatment atthe Pérez Carreño Hospital of the Venezuelan Social Security Institute (IVSS) and to apply tothe Program for a kidney transplant from a dead donor in the Military Hospital of Caracas, fiveyears ago.

But the IVSS suspended the supply of material for the automated peritoneal dialysispatients due to the severe crisis of the medical-care sector of public institutions dependent onthe Venezuelan Foundation donations and transplantation of organs, tissues and cells(Fundavene), in turn, suspending all organ transplants in hospitals of the Venezuelan State, aswell as the timely supply of immunosuppressive drugs for induction into the organ transplant,which obliges assistance in private clinical institutes.Another segment of this disease was an Avascular Necrosis in both hips, whichgenerated a chronic pain that limits my daily activities.

In January 2014, I underwent a total lefthip arthroplasty in the Centro Medico Docente La Trinidad, which partially corrected thecondition, leaving my hips unleveled by a centimeter and also limiting my mobility. Thisinconvenience would be adjusted with a new operation, to bring both legs to the same level.The crisis with the renal care program in public hospitals is forcing me to seek care atprivate institutions in order to fix these issues. However, both operations (renal transplant andtotal hip arthroplasty) are far from our economic possibilities since our family income isapproximately 698,000 Bolivares per month (57.38 USD) and the cost of both surgicalprocedures costs around 10,906 USD, (all values calculated on 10/26/17), but it is publicly wellknown that the national economy is constantly undergoing hyperinflation and that this pricevaries and changes on a nearly daily basis.The situation described is one that is leading me to request humanitarian aid to undergotwo surgical operations; which, in the case of a kidney transplant, is vital for me. Thanks to Godand my physicians, my medical examinations show that I have an optimum cardiopulmonarystatus to not only be given the kidney that I need, but also to receive the other prostheses thatwill facilitate my mobility. But unfortunately this coincides with the worst humanitarian crisisexperienced by my country, Venezuela, where dialysis patients are doomed to capsize and putour lives at risk due to shortages of inputs. With your help, I will be able to undergo total jointarthroplasty of my right hip and a kidney transplant that would put an end to my situation. If thisis not possible, the option that remains for me is to be able to acquire treatment for a year ofautomated peritoneal dialysis in Colombia, because in my country the national governmentsuspended the treatment and my body does not stand up to the hemodialysis.

My family and I are entirely grateful for any donation, no matter how small, that comesfrom your heart during the time when we need it the most. We pray that you are able to help usand truly appreciate your help in this way.

God bless!"

My name is Luis Escalona and I am my cousin's beneficiary here in the United States. Our family hopes and prays that you can help us out as any donation is another step closer to her getting better. Thank you.